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For just the fourth time this century, Centerville failed to finish a season with at least a .500 record. The 2025 campaign was an unusual result for an Elks program that not only is a playoff regular but usually a high-seed.
Head coach John Puckett took over the program after more than a decade as an assistant. Entering his second year, he sees himself as being more comfortable and his team’s enthusiasm in a better place.
“This is the job I’ve always wanted. Then when I get it, I had like a little bit of imposter syndrome,” Puckett said.
This version of the Elks is ready to show last year’s results were the fake representation of the program.
Centerville failed to reach double digit points in three of its first five games last season. Three straight wins followed before losing its final two and missing out on a postseason berth.
Centerville hired long time area coach Brian Blevins as its new offensive coordinator. A different offense and group of personnel are around to run it. The Elks have a combined 11 total pass or rush attempts returning. Leading receiver Josh Becker does return. He will likely have Bronson Weng, known for his fastball on the baseball mound, attempting to deliver the same heat behind his passes.
The defense does have several familiar faces in Northern Illinois-commit Ziere Alston, Levi Anderson, Jay Holbert, AJ Taylor and Soren Vitas.
“This team has more of a want to compete,” Holbert said. “We want to compete together. We want to win together. We want to succeed together.”
Centerville Elks
2025 Record: 3-7 (3-4, t5th), Division I regional first round
Coach: John Puckett (2nd year, 3-7)
League: GWOC
Need to know: Centerville’s Week 2 opponent Murfreesboro Oakland have won five of the last six 6A state championships in Tennessee.
Players to watch (2025 statistics)
Ziere Alston, DB, 6-0, 185, sr. (17TKL, 3PB, 3TFL, 2SACKS, 1FR)
Levi Anderson, DE, 6-4, 240, jr. (32TKL, 4TFL, 2SACKS)
Josh Becker, WR, 6-0, 170, sr. (24 REC, 318YDS, 3TD)
Colton Berner, OL, sr.
Chidubem Chukwu, DE, 6-5, 230, jr. (9TKL, 2.5TFL)
Joey Kristbaum, K/P, 6-3, 190, sr. (5/7FG, 39 long, 20/22XP)
Jay Holbert, DL, 5-11, 265, sr. (21TKL, 8TFL, 1.5SACKS)
AJ Taylor, DB, 6-1, 200, sr. (69TKL, 15.5TFL, 5.5SACKS)
Isaiah Thompson, DB, 5-9, 150, jr. (1TKL)
Soren Vitas, DB, 6-0, 190, sr. (21TKL, 1PB, 2TFL)
Bronson Weng, QB, 6-1, 170, jr. (no stats)
Schedule
Aug. 21 - at Lakota East
Aug. 28 - Murfreesboro Oakland (TN)
Sept. 4 - Olentangy Berlin
Sept. 11 - at Fairmont
Sept. 18 - Springfield
Sept. 25 - at Beavercreek
Oct. 2 - at Miamisburg
Oct. 9 - Northmont
Oct. 16 - at Springboro
Oct. 23 - Wayne
Continue reading...
Head coach John Puckett took over the program after more than a decade as an assistant. Entering his second year, he sees himself as being more comfortable and his team’s enthusiasm in a better place.
“This is the job I’ve always wanted. Then when I get it, I had like a little bit of imposter syndrome,” Puckett said.
This version of the Elks is ready to show last year’s results were the fake representation of the program.
Centerville failed to reach double digit points in three of its first five games last season. Three straight wins followed before losing its final two and missing out on a postseason berth.
Centerville hired long time area coach Brian Blevins as its new offensive coordinator. A different offense and group of personnel are around to run it. The Elks have a combined 11 total pass or rush attempts returning. Leading receiver Josh Becker does return. He will likely have Bronson Weng, known for his fastball on the baseball mound, attempting to deliver the same heat behind his passes.
The defense does have several familiar faces in Northern Illinois-commit Ziere Alston, Levi Anderson, Jay Holbert, AJ Taylor and Soren Vitas.
“This team has more of a want to compete,” Holbert said. “We want to compete together. We want to win together. We want to succeed together.”
Centerville Elks
2025 Record: 3-7 (3-4, t5th), Division I regional first round
Coach: John Puckett (2nd year, 3-7)
League: GWOC
Need to know: Centerville’s Week 2 opponent Murfreesboro Oakland have won five of the last six 6A state championships in Tennessee.
Players to watch (2025 statistics)
Ziere Alston, DB, 6-0, 185, sr. (17TKL, 3PB, 3TFL, 2SACKS, 1FR)
Levi Anderson, DE, 6-4, 240, jr. (32TKL, 4TFL, 2SACKS)
Josh Becker, WR, 6-0, 170, sr. (24 REC, 318YDS, 3TD)
Colton Berner, OL, sr.
Chidubem Chukwu, DE, 6-5, 230, jr. (9TKL, 2.5TFL)
Joey Kristbaum, K/P, 6-3, 190, sr. (5/7FG, 39 long, 20/22XP)
Jay Holbert, DL, 5-11, 265, sr. (21TKL, 8TFL, 1.5SACKS)
AJ Taylor, DB, 6-1, 200, sr. (69TKL, 15.5TFL, 5.5SACKS)
Isaiah Thompson, DB, 5-9, 150, jr. (1TKL)
Soren Vitas, DB, 6-0, 190, sr. (21TKL, 1PB, 2TFL)
Bronson Weng, QB, 6-1, 170, jr. (no stats)
Schedule
Aug. 21 - at Lakota East
Aug. 28 - Murfreesboro Oakland (TN)
Sept. 4 - Olentangy Berlin
Sept. 11 - at Fairmont
Sept. 18 - Springfield
Sept. 25 - at Beavercreek
Oct. 2 - at Miamisburg
Oct. 9 - Northmont
Oct. 16 - at Springboro
Oct. 23 - Wayne
Continue reading...
